Bats Belong under Bridges

As I begin writing this post, the clock tells me it is 4:01am. No, I haven’t been up all night partying with friends. And no, I certainly didn’t wake up this early intentionally. Instead, my cat woke me up at 2:30am rustling around and letting out war cries as she curiously chased a bat around the kitchen. After an hour long debaucle involving texts with a dear friend, a bowl, a broom, thoughts of packing up and moving (no seriously, I consider this a completely reasonable and acceptable option in this situation), and an unsuccessful Google search I managed to get the bat outside. Outside is a much more suitable place for a bat to be. In fact, outside in Austin, Texas is a much much more suitable place for a bat to be.

About a year ago, while visiting family, I learned that Austin has about a bajilliondy bats flying around and taking up residence under bridges. In fact, one such bridge has become famous for it - the Congress Avenue Bridge. According to www.austinbatsbridge.com, the largest validated estimate totals an astounding 1.5 million bats living under that bridge! While I’m afraid of bats (I’ve never been able to shake the fear of one getting tangled in my hair), many people actually go out of their way to see this bat colony in action. If you’re really into bats or just like to experience unusual elements of nature, you can book a river boat tour. These tours will usually guide you through the Austin skyline and then end up under the bridge just in time to see the 1.5 million bats take flight in search of some tasty mosquitos, yum. Google search “austin bats” and you’ll be amazed at all the pictures, YouTube videos, websites, and even blogs that pop up.

Other reasons to visit Austin? What – the bats aren’t reason enough for you?!?!? Well, in that event you can take part in the night life. Take in a live Austin City Limits concert - or wait for the festival in September. Drive up I-35 and cool off during a tour of the Inner Space Caverns where you can marvel at the beautiful stalactite and stalagmite sculptures. Visit Zilker’s Park where for a nearly insignificant fee you can take a dip in a pool fed by the cool (68 degree) waters of Barton Springs. But, no matter what you do in Austin, if you’re outside a half hour before sunset you’ll likely see 1.5 million bats fly across the dusk sky.

Why We Work

We all work. If we don’t work, we usually want to work… well, unless you’re that
rare breed of deluded person who genuinely believes you can get by solely on your
charm and good looks.

Bunny trail: if you happen to be that breed of person, I
want you to know that eventually you will meet people who think you are selfish,
manipulative, arrogant and/or ugly. When you do meet those people, you will
find yourself in need of resources. Please consider this as you try to decide
between living in your parents’ attic or basement rent free and sleeping all
day or finding a job you’d enjoy and buying your own groceries like an adult. I
tell you this because I care. And because I don’t think it’s fair for your
parents to have to babysit an (insert any age above 18) year old.

Anyway, the majority of us schmucks are usually either
working or looking for work. Sometimes, even those of us lucky enough to find work we truly enjoy (like myself) have bad days and find ourselves
saying, “Self, why the hell am I sitting here staring at this computer/washing
these dishes/filing these papers/bandaging this snotty kid/cleaning this
toilet/etc.?” On those days, it’s important to have a legitimate answer at the ready.
Examples of such answers may include but are not limited to:

• I like to eat
• My landlord or mortgage company prefers cash over chickens for payment
• Loving my parents and living with my parents are 2 entirely different things
• The car does not run on hot air
• I don’t really want to have a Renaissance times
  experiment in which I give up modern conveniences such as electric, internet,
  phone, cable, running water, medical care
• I look better in clothes than I do in rags and while our society is slowly accepting alternative life choices, streaking largely remains inappropriate in most settings (drats)
• The social scene seems to happen outside of my house, like at restaurants, concerts, farmer’s markets, book stores, cafes, and so on
• My significant other isn’t a big fan of the idea of becoming my Suga-Daddy/Momma
• “I make my living mooching off loved ones” doesn’t sound nearly as impressive out loud as it does in my head
•  Sparkly things are pretty and shiny things are fun

I imagine many of those answers ring true for several of
you, myself included. I mean, c’mon, who doesn’t
like to eat? But all of that aside, we all seem to have our 1 top reason for
wanting some extra cash. For one of my coworkers, it happens to be jewelry –
she’s in love with just about any original piece of jewelry she lays eyes on.
For another, it’s his boat – he talks about buying new gadgets for it, getting
it out for fishing trips, and taking his family for a day on the lake. For a
friend, it’s the house she and her husband are buying and being able to make it
their own with all the comforts they choose. Another friend loves the
performing arts and will happily put his last penny down for a favorite movie,
concert, or acting class.

For me, it’s the ability to experience new places and
things. Few things lift my spirits more than a road trip, no matter how big or
small. Whether I take a short drive to Gettysburg and take in the history or
spend a month in Trinidad and Tobago enjoying the culture, that’s why I work…a
lot. I used to feel self-conscious that people would think I work as much as I
do at as many different things as I do in an attempt to make a quick buck or
pay off large gambling debts or something. Truth is you have to work hard to
play hard – go big or go home.

I plan on going everywhere in a big way. First
stop, Republic of Ireland. Dublin, Cliffs of Moher, Book of Kells, Ring of
Kerry. The linen, the crystal, the Claddagh! Not to mention, the pubs, music and
literature!! All treasures of the Emerald Isle that I’ll get to experience in
the flesh – this promise of excitement in a land of my ancestors is what fuels
my every decision right now. Should I take a part time job? I should if I want
to have money for Ireland. Should I stop at Chick-Fil-A for dinner? Not if I
want to save money for souvenirs and lose weight for my dream vacation in
Ireland. I’m not feeling as awesome as usual, maybe I should call off work today? Not unless you want to give up that Irish vacation you have planned!

So, why do I work? To go big, to go everywhere, and to go
on my terms. I suggest you do the same and when you decide to do so, let me
know.

Disclaimer

This is my official disclaimer in regards to my attitude toward both my full and part time jobs and how it relates to my passion for travel.

I consider myself VERY lucky to not only have a full time job but also to have the blessings of my part time jobs as well. I’m well aware that especially in today’s economic climate I could be far worse for wear. Yes, my goal is to one day make my living, pay my bills, and provide for my wants and needs solely on the travel industry. My full time supervisor is aware of this and seems to support it. HOWEVER, this DOES NOT mean that I don’t have a passion for my current full time position – it is indeed very close to my heart as well and I work at it quite earnestly and to the best of my abilities.

Most people have more than 1 interest, as it turns out, in this way I am like most people. This blog is devoted to only 1 of my many interests but it does not diminish my interests and/or work in other areas of my life. Please continue reading ONLY if you understand and agree to these terms.

I AGREE

I DO NOT AGREE